Much better quality and a more representative sample than the little 12-track CD I bought a month ago. True, it doesn't include the favorites 'Indian Lake' or 'Hair', but a nice selection of folk-pop sounds, a cover of S&G 'A Most Peculiar Man', some Cowsills-written tunes - I liked it. Not sure why there are two versions of 'The Rain the Park and Other Things', but -

This review is for the Razor & Tie version (catalogue # RE 2037). I bought it purely for "The Rain, The Park And Other Things", as it's one of my favourite songs. Unfortunately I found little else of interest on this disc (except if you were a *serious* Cowsills fan). Note that it does not include "Indian Lake" or "Hair".

Pros: Mastering was done by the great Steve Hoffman. As such the sound quality is fantastic with a very natural, analogue feel.

Cons: "The Rain, The Park And Other Things" is the stereo mix and is FAR inferior to the mono mix. The harmonies ("I love the flower girl"... etc.) in the chorus are very buried in the mix and the instruments dominate the vocals throughout the entire song. You can get the mono mix of "The Rain, The Park And Other Things" on 45's on CD, Vol. 3 (1966-1969).

1. The Rain, The Park And Other Things2. Pennies*3. La Rue Du Soleil*4. Thinkin' About The Other Side*5. Dreams of Linda*6. River Blue*7. Gettin' Into That Sunny, Sunny Feelin' Again*8. That's My Time of Day*9. Troubled Roses*10. (Stop, Look) Is Anyone There?*11. How Can I Make You See*12. (Come 'Round Here) I'm The One You Need*13. Love American Style* [#]14. The Impossible Years* [#]

This expanded edition CD of the Cowsills first MGM album includes several cuts from the Mercury/Phillips stint and makes it worth the cost. Even at this early age the first family of pop/rock were amazing and this CD proves the point.

The 1967 album that showcases the Cowsills' first great 45, "The Rain, the Park and other Things," offers a winsome trip back to the greatest year of 60s pop music. While "Rain" is the outstanding track on this album, several others will interest fans of their sound (which features some of the brightest harmonies of the 60s). Here it's all the boys (later on the "Mini-Mom" Barbara and her daughter Susan got in on it). Highlights of this album include "Dreams of Linda" and "La Rue du Soleil," about an attraction to a jeune fille in a Paris street cafe that ends disappointingly (it has a charming accordion background). Fans of Hendrix and Joplin will find this material bland (Hendrix trashed the Beach Boys too), but those who retain some 60s innocence will get into it. I reheard all my Cowsills albums last month, and in replaying this one I was pleasantly surprised by side 2, which I hadn't listened to closely. Razor & Tie did us a favor issuing it -- I just wish some other Cowsills albums, like Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools (1968) and II X II (1971), could get onto CD. The Cowsills' bright sound suffers badly on scratched vinyl. R&T has done a solid job remastering this one. Recommended, especially to those who like their hits and want to hear more.